Restaurant advertising: The ultimate guide to boosting customers
Restaurant advertising made simple: the ultimate guide with real examples to help you attract more customers and increase sales.
Picture this:
A rainy Thursday and you have empty tables. You run an Instagram Story targeted to people within a two-mile radius; by dinner on that rainy Thursday, the bar is full.
That’s not luck, it’s restaurant advertising: the strategic use of paid and owned channels to match your brand, menu, and experience with locals most likely to dine, then track and optimize results.
It matters in 2025 because customers decide online in seconds, guided by photos, reviews, and “near me” intent, so hyperlocal visibility becomes revenue, not vanity.
In small towns, direct mail with coupons can outpull Facebook for first visits; in cities, digital targeting, live analytics, and flexible budgets win. Keep offers clear, creatives fast, and measurement strict: one offer, one audience, one radius; kill anything with weak CTR or CPA above margin. Connect your kitchen to hungry people.
Digital advertising strategies for restaurants in 2025
If you’re searching for the best digital advertising strategies for restaurants or wondering how to advertise a restaurant online, the key is to invest in high-ROI channels that fit both your budget and time capacity and to track performance.
Most independent operators see strong returns by dedicating 3–5% of monthly revenue to advertising, split across two or three well-chosen platforms. The goal is to be visible where your ideal customers are already active.
Social media ads on Facebook, instagram, TikTok
Restaurant social media ads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allow you to precisely target diners based on location, demographics, dining habits, and even interests like “brunch” or “seafood.” These platforms excel because they combine visual storytelling with powerful targeting options. The cost-per-click can be lower than search ads, and the format is ideal for showcasing the atmosphere, personality, and food experience your restaurant offers.
For restaurants with limited marketing resources, social media ads are often the fastest to launch and easiest to test. With built-in analytics, you can see exactly which creatives drive clicks, reservations, or online orders and adjust in real time. Many operators use them to promote seasonal specials, events, or high-margin menu items, leveraging urgency to fill tables quickly.
Best practices:
- Use high-quality food photography or short videos of signature dishes and your restaurant ambiance. Batch-shoot with a smartphone and natural light if you don’t have a pro budget
- Promote limited-time offers, holiday menus, and special events to trigger urgency
- Test ad formats: carousel ads for variety, Instagram Reels for behind-the-scenes prep, TikTok clips for personality-driven storytelling
- Retarget website visitors and past customers for a lower cost per conversion
Example:
Chipotle: #GuacDance on TikTok
It started like a kitchen chant: a goofy, irresistible dance tied to National Avocado Day. Chipotle didn’t overthink itб they handed the mic to creators, nudged the algorithm with paid support, and let fans stitch and spin their own versions.
The app flooded with quick cuts of avocado mashing and bowl building, and the brand leaned into the chaos, curating the best clips as social proof. By week’s end, the hashtag felt less like an ad and more like a mini-festival. And yes, guacamole orders told the same story.
Key takeaway: Give people an easy, joyous action and amplify the best user spins. That’s how “awareness” becomes receipts.
Photo source: #guacdance hashtag of TikTok
Google ads & local search targeting
Google Ads for restaurants are designed to capture diners in the exact moment they’re searching for somewhere to eat. Unlike social ads that build awareness, Google Ads reach people already in decision mode, searching for “best Italian near me” or “happy hour in Austin.” These are high-intent users, which is why conversion rates from search traffic can be significantly higher than other channels.
Local targeting ensures your ads only appear to people within a specific radius, minimizing wasted spend. When combined with location extensions and Google’s Local Pack, your restaurant can dominate both the paid and organic space for relevant searches.
Optimization tips:
- Add location extensions so your address, phone, and map link show directly in your ad
- Bid on both broad keywords “Mexican restaurant near me” and niche terms “taco Tuesday in [neighborhood]”
- Track calls, reservations, and online orders to calculate ROAS
- Pair with local SEO for restaurants to dominate both paid search and Google’s Local Pack
Example:
Caviar: Weather-triggered search bidding
When the weather turned sour, Caviar got louder. Their search bids rose with the rain, zeroing in on neighborhoods where “I’m staying in” becomes “I’m ordering in.” The copy didn’t argue; it empathized warm meals, no umbrellas. Competitors still bid evenly; Caviar surged in the exact hours intent peaked, then went quiet when sidewalks dried.
Key takeaway: Marry real-world signals (weather, events, traffic) to local intent, and your budget stops shouting and starts timing its whispers.
Photo source: Caviar
Email campaigns for customer retention
Email marketing is one of the most effective online restaurant marketing strategies for turning first-time diners into repeat customers. It allows you to build a direct communication channel with your audience. The one you own, not rented from a social platform’s algorithm. Done right, email campaigns drive high ROI because they reach people who have already shown interest in your brand.
The key to restaurant email success is personalization and timing. Segmenting your list by visit history, preferences, or special occasions allows you to send offers that feel tailored, increasing open and redemption rates. Because email is low-cost, even small independent operators can run consistent campaigns without heavy ad budgets.
Best practices:
- Segment lists by visit frequency, birthdays, or favorite menu items
- Use personalized subject lines like “Your Birthday dinner is on us” to lift open rates
- Include clear calls-to-action — book now, order now, reserve a spot
- Start simple: collect emails via sign-up sheets, QR codes on receipts, or Wi-Fi login prompts
Example:
Starbucks: Deep Brew–powered personalization
Starbucks’ inboxes don’t “blast”, they beckon. The brand’s AI, Deep Brew, watches patterns like a barista who never forgets: cold brew after noon, a pumpkin habit when leaves turn, a craving for something warm on rainy Tuesdays. Emails and app messages arrive like helpful nudges, not interruptions “your kind of drink, right now, at your usual spot.” Over time, customers learn to expect relevance, and relevance becomes routine.
Key takeaway: Start with clean segments, evolve toward algorithmic timing and offers. Familiarity scales when it feels individual.
Photo source: Starbucks
Optimizing Google business profile for visibility
Your Google Business Profile is a critical asset in local SEO for restaurants, influencing how often your business appears in Google Maps and search results. Since most “near me” searches lead to a GBP click before a website visit, this profile is often the first impression potential customers have of your restaurant.
A complete, actively maintained GBP improves trust signals to both diners and Google’s ranking algorithm. Frequent updates, engaging visuals, and timely review responses show that your business is active, customer-focused, and relevant. It will boost visibility and clicks.
Optimization tips:
- Keep hours, menu links, and contact info current
- Upload fresh food and interior photos monthly
- Use Google Posts to promote specials, events, or seasonal menus
- Respond to all reviews — Google rewards active profiles in local rankings
Example:
Panera Bread: Tap-to-order from the search results
Panera treated its Google Business Profile like a front door, not a directory entry. Hours and photos stayed fresh; Posts told a running story of soups, salads, and seasonal comforts. Most importantly, “Order with Google” turned curiosity into checkouts in two taps, no detour, no drop-off. People searching “near me” didn’t just find a listing; they found lunch, fast.
Key takeaway: Make your GBP shoppable and alive. The first impression should also be the shortest path to purchase.
Photo source: Panera Bread
Managing online reviews for SEO boost
Online reviews play a dual role: they influence customer trust and impact your local SEO rankings. Google and Yelp both consider review volume, frequency, and star ratings when deciding which restaurants appear at the top of search results. High-quality reviews can be the deciding factor for diners choosing between similar options.
For restaurants, managing reviews is about actively encouraging satisfied customers to leave feedback and showing prospective guests you value their input. A well-handled review, even if negative, can enhance credibility and build loyalty.
Best practices:
- Make leaving reviews easy with QR codes, follow-up emails, or prompts on receipts
- Respond to all feedback within 48 hours, showing gratitude and professionalism
- Aim to maintain a 4.5+ star rating to maximize search visibility
Examples:
Five Guys: Owning the conversation, location by location
Five Guys centralized its listings and reviews so every store sang from the same songbook — accurate hours, consistent menus, quick replies. Praise got spotlighted, complaints got a human response, and patterns in feedback informed operations. Search engines noticed the steady pulse of updates; diners noticed the manners. Momentum built: more reviews, better rankings, fuller queues.
Key takeaway: Ask for reviews, answer them all, and use the signal to fix what’s broken. Credibility compounds in public.
Photo source: Five Guys
Innovative advertising trends in the restaurant industry
The most successful restaurants in 2025 are embracing innovative restaurant advertising strategies to stand out in a competitive market. Modern diners respond to personalized marketing, immersive experiences, and social content that feels authentic. The leading trends are AI-powered marketing, influencer collaborations, experiential campaigns, and viral social media content. All that you can create with an AI ad builder.
Trend 1: AI personalization and predictive triggers
AI advertising tools let you build copy, images, and audiences in minutes, then optimize in real time without an agency. Start by loading menu photos and URLs, generate three ad variants for different segments, and add simple triggers like weather or daypart. Test small budgets, keep the creatives that drive calls or reservations, and cap frequency so you do not train guests to wait for discounts.
Aim for CTR above 2.5% and CPA below profit per cover. Use UTM links and unique numbers to attribute performance, then expand to a second segment once redemptions are consistent. A neighborhood pizzeria filled Two-for-One Tuesday with a $50 geo ad built in five minutes, while Domino’s has shown weather-based prompts can lift same-day orders.
Tools to try
- Zeely AI for rapid multi-asset ad builds and auto audiences
- ChatGPT to draft hooks, headlines, and variations fast
- Meta Ads Manager Advantage+ for creative mixing and auto-optimization
- Google Ads Responsive Search and Performance Max for intent capture
- CallRail or unique numbers for call attribution
- Klaviyo or Mailchimp for triggered email offers tied to POS data
- Zeely AI for rapid multi-asset ad builds and auto audiences
Try Zeely AI static ad generator today to create stunning visuals like these — or explore many other ready-to-use templates designed to elevate your brand, attract customers, and make your business stand out.
Trend 2: Micro-influencers and UGC as paid media
Micro-influencers with local audiences and UGC from real guests often outperform studio work on trust and cost. Shortlist creators under 10k followers, verify engagement and local follower share, and collect in-house clips during busy service. Run the best three videos as radius ads, track redemptions with creator codes, and shift budget toward posts that drive bookings, not just likes.
Keep ER above 3% and CPM below your local norm. If a creator’s audience tilts non-local, skip the deal. A vegan café turned a brunch photo contest into 60 plus tagged posts and a 25% weekend lift, while Shake Shack ties limited-time launches to creator QR codes for clean attribution.
Tools to try
- TikTok Creative Center and Instagram Insights for trend and audience check
- Modash or HypeAuditor to vet creator geography and engagement quality
- CapCut or Adobe Premiere Rush for quick vertical edits
- Later or Buffer for scheduling and comment routing
- Bitly UTM builder and QR code generators for trackable links
- Meta Ads Manager to boost winning UGC to a 2–5 mile radius
- Zeely AI if you want to use an AI influencer for your videos
Zeely AI has developed a powerful library of 150+ virtual AI avatars designed to help creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses effortlessly produce authentic UGC-style videos created by UGC AI generator. With these avatars, anyone can generate engaging content quickly, scale their creative output, and connect with their audience in a personal, relatable way — all without needing professional filming or editing skills.
Trend 3: Shareable experiences, pop-ups, and AR menus
Experiential marketing turns visits into stories guests want to post. Plan a two or three night theme with prepaid tickets, add a partner brewery or artist to expand reach, and keep the menu tight so execution stays sharp. Pilot AR for one high-margin category to reduce choice anxiety and lift premium upsells with 3D previews at the table.
Success looks like 70% of tickets sold before day one, a 20 to 30% check lift, and a spike in saves and mentions. A three-night plant-based tapas pop-up sold out at $45 per guest and raised average check 30%. Taco Bell’s hotel pop-up sold out in minutes and earned global coverage, while Domino’s AR builder has increased average order value and repeat rate.
Tools to try
- Tock, Resy, or Eventbrite for prepaid tickets and capacity control
- Canva and Figma for event menus, signage, and social kits
- Zappar or EyeJack to pilot lightweight AR dish previews
- Square or Toast for ticket SKUs and prepayments
- Typeform or Google Forms for RSVP waitlists and feedback
- Sprout Social or Hootsuite for partner cross-promotion workflows
- Zeely AI to present your themed evening by using one of the static ad templates
Trend 4: Short-form video that sells the vibe
TikTok and Instagram Reels ads reward retention and interaction, so real moments beat polish. Lead with motion in the first two seconds, use natural light, and script nine repeatable micro-stories like signature dish reveals, bartender pours, and guest reactions. Post three to five times per week, then boost only the clips that spike organically within 24 hours.
Track first three-second hold above 40%, profile visits above 10% from video, and bookings tied to on-screen promo codes. An LA ramen shop hit 1.2 million views with a 12-second broth pour and sold out for a week; Chipotle’s #GuacDance unlocked massive UGC and sales, and Dominique Ansel’s lava-cake reveal sold out the line.
Tools to try
- CapCut, InShot, or VN for fast mobile edits and text overlays
- TikTok Creative Center for trending audio and hook ideas
- Instagram Reels editor for native cuts and timing
- Notion or Trello for a weekly shot list and calendar
- Later or Buffer for posting windows and first-comment CTAs
- Linktree or Campsite with UTM links for video-specific conversions
- Zeely AI to create engaging AI TikToks or Reels in minutes
To sum up
To fill seats without burning cash, combine hyperlocal targeting + urgency + proof. One strong radius-based UGC video with a clear offer often beats three “perfect” banners.
Three rules:
- One offer — one audience — one radius
- Motion in the first two seconds; keep on-screen copy to 8–12 words
- Track with a code/QR, don’t trust likes
Pre-launch mini checklist:
- Do you have photos/videos of the dish and the interior?
- Do you have an offer with a clear deadline?
- Do you have retargeting for website and Google Business Profile (GBP) visitors?
- Do you have kill thresholds: CTR < 1.5% or CPA above margin?
- Do you have a landing page that’s two clicks from “Book/Order”?
Want to test ads? Launch 3 A/B test variants with our AI ad generator.
